Isreal Sunny-Goli, a former Federal House of Representative member from Bayelsa State, has officially lodged a complaint with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) concerning the necessity for a thorough inquiry into the alleged mishandling of $35 million meant for various projects in the state.
The projects in question include the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery & Petrochemical Limited, and the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited.
Recently, the House of Representatives Committee on Local Content, under the leadership of Chairman Boma Goodhead, initiated an investigation into the reported payment of $35 million, with a 40% equity, to a company registered at a value of N10 million.
During the investigation, the Committee accused the former management team of the Nigerian Content and Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), led by ex-Executive Secretary Simbi Wabote, of displaying signs of financial recklessness by investing a total of N14 billion for shares in a company that was registered just a year prior in 2020.
Sunny-Goli, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State in the 9th Assembly, has urged the EFCC to probe the projects situated within the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Given his extensive experience in political and communal leadership, he believes he is well-equipped to voice concerns about the development of his community and ensure its protection.
Part of the petition states: “Based on this, I hereby submit a petition to the Commission for a thorough investigation and potential prosecution.
“This concerns the allocation of funds for the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery & Petrochemical Limited, and the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited, all located in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, during the tenure of the former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, Eng. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.”
Sunny-Goli highlighted that the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited project was designed to establish two methanol plants and a processing plant in Bayelsa State with an NCDMB equity contribution of $200m.
“An initial payment of $20m was made in May 2021, with an annual payment of $60m over three years. The NCDMB Directors involved include the former Executive Secretary Simbi Wabote, Mohammed Umar, and Mr. Ben Okoye.”
“The Atlantic International Refinery & Petrochemical Limited project aimed to build a Modular Refinery, a jetty facility, and a power plant in the Brass Free Trade Zone, Bayelsa State. However, there has been no tangible progress on this project since the full investment amount of $35m was released in October 2020.
“The Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited was meant to establish a product facility in Bayelsa State but has faced delays and uncertainty in completion despite funds being released in September 2021,” the petition added.
